I'll Be There [2003]

Charlotte plays Olivia Edmonds, a teenaged girl who finds out that her father is actually famed aging rock star Paul Kerr (Craig Ferguson), just after he makes headlines for driving his motorcycle out a second story window of his home. Olivia's mother never told her the truth about her father because the relationship was short-lived (Kerr never even knew he had a daughter) and she resents the fact that her own still-rocking father was never there for her growing up. She wants Olivia to join her hairdressing business and stay away from musicians at all costs. We all know Charlotte has the best singing voice in the whole bloody kingdom, but her mother does not realize just how talented her daughter Olivia really is. Anyway, Olivia and Kerr slowly develop a relationship with one another, helped immeasurably by Kerr's decision to stop drinking - but dear old Mum wants nothing to do with the man she's obviously still in love with. Everything comes to a head when Olivia's talent is made manifest, and you can probably fill in the rest yourself.

As I said, I'll Be There doesn't break any new ground, but it's a feel-good movie that succeeds extremely well. Craig Ferguson makes it all work and injects a lot of comedy into everything he does. As writer, director, and star, this really is Ferguson's baby and should have enjoyed more success than it achieved. It even supplies the somewhat disconcerting sight of the Buffyverse's Rupert Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) playing a smarmy music agent - earrings and all. Of course, you also have the added attraction of several Charlotte Church songs (even if they do represent her early foray into pop). All told, I'll Be There is a surprisingly entertaining, heart-warming motion picture - and those are few and far between these days.


my IQ has been halved by watching this film   May 31, 2005
4 out of 5 found this review helpful

I decided after reading some reviews to watch this film, even though it had charlotte church in it. I can't believe anyone can watch this film and actually think it's been worth the time it takes to watch. The acting, scripting and casting is appauling, I'm embarrassed for the cast and crew and hope at least they were well paid.


Underrated performance from Charlotte.   December 2, 2003
Mr. Patrick J. Ward (UK)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

American reviewers have wrote various scathing monologues about the bad acting, the lack of an involving story and various other criticisms. Indeed the plotline was done again very recently with the excellent Colin Firth and the cute but quirky Amanda Bynes in "What a Girl Wants" - famous gent finds he has a teenage daughter, cue soulsearching and righteous intent to make up for not being there for them etc etc.

To be perfectly honest, anyone going into a cinema expecting an oscar winning performance from someone with little acting experience has to be crazy. Make no mistake, this is a Ms. Church vehicle. Charlotte is playing herself in essence and let's be honest folks, she doesn't do THAT bad a job at it. I thought she committed herself admirably and good but un-inspired performances from Craig Ferguson, Jemma Redgrave and Joss Ackland where enough to give this film enough oomph that I enjoyed it.

Cracking soundtrack, Charlotte's peerless voice (well, Hayley Westenra is a bit better but she hasn't got the acting bug yet) and the occasional comedy turn. There's worse ways to spend an evening.

My only complaints where the lack of any real character development when there was potential for so much more and Charlotte didn't sing nearly enough for my liking. Try again Charlotte, don't let one stab at it put you off for life. I'll watch it as long as you sing :)


fun fun fun   December 2, 2004
R. Peters (Spain)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

What a change from crime, murder, violence, terroists, car chases etc. 90+ minutes of pure enjoyment and fun. Some of the jokes are a real scream - laugh aloud stuff. The sound track is great. Miss Church's voice of course is lovely. Joss Ackland is amazing. Why this failed in the cinemas I just don't understand. Well worth watching more than once!